The Mother Load...

("The Bicentennial Man", Isaac Asimov)



Plot:

This story is told in media res, with Andrew about to receive the surgery that is not described until the end. This structure of this exposition draws the reader in and sets the tone of the major ideals of the story. The introduction of the different families and company leaders throughout the work help define the climax of Andrew's last operation and the final resolution of Andrew being considered a man. This plot structure serves as an emotional trap, capturing the reader's sympathy and pity. As Andrew remains a prisoner of time and human fear, the morals and suspense of the piece are displayed through the countless examples of passing family such as the compassion of Little Miss and final efforts of Li-Hsing. The plot reveals that goals can be achieved with time and passion and explains the morals of the piece by offering explanation of the human fears and discrimination of servers.



Point of View

This tale is portrayed in a third person point of view. A distant narrator seems to focus on Andrew's thoughts, yet not all thoughts and feelings are revealed. This use of point of view matches the ideals of the story: the difference of robots and human. If told from a human prospective, perhaps this story would have been told from first person. The use of third person displays that although some feels can be given, not all can be expressed; a robot simply cannot obtain all human aspects. There is a level of distance found in a third person narrator, similar to the distance of the robots, shown in the following quotes: "The surgeon said softy, with that certain inalienable note of respect that a robot always used to a human being." (p. 245) "My body is a canvas on which I intend to draw-... Magdescu waited for the sentence to be completed, and when it seemed that it would not be, he completed it himself. "A man?" "We shall see," said Andrew." (p. 280).



Characterization

There are few major characters aside from Andrew within this short story, displaying the isolation Andrew experiences as well as the spread of time of the work. Andrew is characterized through comparison to other robots. His entire life is judged not by his personal nature, rather, how he differs from the norm. This is captured in the scenes when his artistic talent is discovered (p. 250-254) or when his impact on robot history is explained (p. 268-272). Other characters are mostly characterized by their relation to Andrew: Little Miss is displayed as a caring and lovely girl with a desire of justice. Her son Paul mirrors his mother's compassion and serves as the fighting vessel for Andrew to achieve some of his dreams. Various company leaders are pictured as cruel and closed-minded if the reject Andrew, and are treasured if they help Andrew. Basically the characters of this story are shaped by their relationship to Andrew and Andrew's journey.

Setting

This tale is set in a seemingly future society of Earth. Some clues imply that it's set in a relatively modern time, aside from the advancement of robots, such as the use of books (Andrew writes a book), maps (p. 261), titles( Sir, Little Miss, cooperate titles), and travel methods (p. 261-262). On an interesting side note, the fashions seem to retrogress, from classic suits, to floppy clothing, to bear, Egyptian-like at the end. The major emphasis of this setting upon the ideals of the book is that it doesn't change too much throughout the book. This parallels the notion that although the society has advanced many decades, fears and injustice has not been resolved. Andrew is pushing the society to change, but he's only one force. The given setting also reflects the spread of Andrew's ideas and protest. The detail of setting expands from Sir's house to various corporations until reaching the global courts. The setting is used to display Andrew's impact from the Earth and even to the Moon and how he can only make so much impact.

Theme

" How can they fear robots? "It's disease of mankind, one of which it is not yet cured." (p. 264)

The major idea of this tale is to display the effects of fear. Not only human fear of ruling robots, rather the fear of mistake, accepting mistake, and the possibility of the future. Throughout the work, this theme of fear defines the human population: (describing a robot) "There would be no hesitation in his work, no stumbling, no quivering, no mistakes. That came with specialization of course, a specialization so fiercely desired by humanity that few robots were, any longer independently brained." (p. 246). Countless leaders refuse to provide Andrew with his dreams simply due to fear of providing the chance of flaw and mistake. This story represents the common human action to take things too far; the cliche saying "The sky's the limit" now chokes this society. Morals and limits have to be set rather than reaching the most maximum advances. When Andrew fights for seemingly fundamental things such as freedom, rights, and acceptance, he challenges the concept of accepting mistake and changing motives. This story displays how many try to overlook the objections to their plans, wanting to avoid mistake and flaws. The theme of this story is the fear of mistake and flaw.


Favorite Quotes:

" I don't know the proper way of phrasing things, but I hope you will listen to my meaning and ignore the words" (p. 255)

"Freedom is without a price, Sir" said Andrew. "Even the chance of freedom is worth the money." (p. 254)

"Andrew said, "Are not human bodies beautifully functional, George? Yet you cover yourselves" (p. 258)

"Yet he was no really alone. If a man had died, the firm of Feingold and Charney lived, for a corporation does not die any more than a robot does." (p. 277)

All the World's a Stage...

("Miss Brill", Mansfield)

"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players" ~William Shakespeare

This well-known quote defines this short story. Miss Brill describes her Sunday activities of people watching and compares it to a play. She has given a role to each person and watches with passion. She even goes as far as to become an actress herself, and includes herself into the lives of those around her. I think this action truly describes this story: Miss Brill wanting to be part of something, to feel needed. Productions and acting, like many other activities, always a group of people to become a close-knit group. yet acting allows more than that; acting allows the chance to become anyone and to overcome flaws and issues. The "acting" of Miss Brill not only gives her the feeling of being needed, but it also gives her the chance to become more. She transforms into a beautiful women wearing a milk coat simply observing the awe-inspired community. Acting allows her to escape, away from being alone, away from rude young couples, and away from feeling unwanted.

The following video is of a goofy bunch of kids preforming the scene from which the quoted line comes from. Enjoy!

In a Kingdom Far Far Away....

("Once Upon a Time", Gordimer)



This satire of children's stories compares well with works similar to "The Brothers Grimm"; however, some of the core aspects of the work are comparable to more traditional tales, some found in the musical Into the Woods. One of the best similarities is between the family and the classic tale of Rapunzel. Both stories display a desire by a parent-figure to protect the innocence of a child-figure. The world is the enemy, therefore, hiding from the world in tower or behind "Dragon's Teeth" is the best solution. And both tales soon reveal that a lack of knowledge is the biggest danger. Similar to the wounding/death of the young boy, Into the Woods captures the raw emotion of the wicked witch as her beloved Rapunzel suffers from a lack of knowledge. The following link goes to a link of Barbra Streisand singing "Children Will Listen", a song from Into the Woods involving the importance of parental influence on children: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hiTaDJ9E1I0&feature=related . This clip also has a bit about the obscure lessons of children stories.

A Bit Beyond the Due Date...

("A Worn Path", Welty)

The other characters of this story magnify the impact of Phoenix upon the story. In general, all of the characters address Phoenix with respect or admiration through the title "Grandma"; Phoenix holds a respected title rather than being brushed off. The hunter seems to be a past friend, implying the multitude of times Phoenix has taken this journey, who is concerned by this long and draining journey made by Phoenix. Other characters seem to hold concern for Phoenix, such as the nurse at the end who gives her a nickel and restrains her concerns and judgement. These characters increase the impact of the journey made by Phoenix as well as suggest that the old woman is not mentally sound. Her conversation is loosing substance and reveals a questionable mind state, such as when she forgets about her grandson. A few other "characters" of the story impact the implication of Phoenix's mental state, such as the in depth monologue she hols with the bushes and scarecrow. The characters of this tale imply that Phoenix is a loving and admirable woman that may be just past her prime.

There are Always more Ships in the Sea....

("Eveline", Joyce)

"It was hard work- a hard life- but now that she was about to leave it she didn't find it a wholly undesirable life"

The initial synopsis of this story is a feeling of sorrow and sympathy towards Eveline. With a horrible past and unjust father, the lost chance to escape seems to be sorrowful and a completely unhappy ending. However, other aspects of the tale imply that Eveline wasn't ready to change, even though her situation was horrible. First and foremost the name Eveline means "uncertain, possibly desired" (source http://babynamesworld.parentsconnect.com) which reflects her overall uncertain nature. The quoted line above describes her constant battle over the issue of leaving: she desires to "explore the world with Frank" yet she holds a sense of pride for the household and children she cares for. This chance to run away with Frank simply isn't the best choice; it forces her to cut off her past completely and no matter how rough it is, it's just not possible. It's like going from a nightmare into a amazing dream, although the dream is breathtaking and wonderful, after time one would rather be awake in the real world rather than dreaming at all. The final scene doesn't mean that Eveline will be trapped forever; rather, she is simply not ready to move above her past. The ship or another ship will leave the harbor when she is ready.

It's All About Networking...

All three characterzation works of the Characterization Unit

One of the most important elements of every character is the study of their relationships with others. While these three stories are drastically different (as similar as quilting and lawyers are...) the relationships have been the center focus of the story. Within " Hunters in the Snow" and "Everyday Use" the center relationship defines the outcome of the tale. "Hunters in the Snow" reunites two former friends and unifies their actions with "Everyday Use" breaks the unjust balance of a power relationship and ends in justice. A few of the stories, especially "Bartleby the Scriverner", displays the harm of a lack of relationship as Bartleby walks all over the lawyer and causes him to not be able to act as a leader. Relationships define these stories.

Another common thread of these stories is the use of justice. From earning the ownership of quilts to having the unjust working relationship of Bartleby and the lawyer, justice gives these stories the needed suspense. In general stories centered on characterization have common themes of intense relationships and emotions.

Never Have a Friend Like Me...

("Everyday Use", Walker)


"Maggie by now was standing in the door. I could almost hear the sound her feet made as they scraped over each other. "she can have them, Mama," she said, like somebody used to never winning anything, or having anything reserved for her. "I can 'member Grandma Dee without the quilts"

What a tainted relationship, focused on power and materials. Perhaps Dee-Dee should be named Jafar, as in Jafar from Disney's Aladdin. Jafar is a selfish and power-seeking character, trampling anyone and anything is his path to be at the top. To complete the connection, the character of Aladdin would be filled by Maggie: a girl of a tortured past willing to give up material goods and simply hold on to memories and dreams. Dee-Dee and Maggie are foil characters displayed in their different passions, appearances, and care for others. The use of foil characters transcends the emotion felt in the given quote able and moves the sympathy towards Maggie. The final scenes of Aladdin mirror those of this tale: the defense-less and compassionate character, Maggie/Aladdin overcomes and drastically changes the future concerning the selfish being, Dee-Dee/Jafar. The tainted relationship is improved into a fair and just relationship based upon the implications of the foil characters and chosen diction.